Cardinal Ferrão Participates in the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Evangelization

Vatican City, 30 May 2026: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), and Member of the Dicastery for Evangelization, participated in the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for Fundamental Questions Regarding Evangelization in the World), held in Rome from 26 to 28 May 2026.

On 28 May, Pope Leo XIV met the participants of the Plenary Assembly and encouraged the Dicastery for Evangelization to support Catholic communities worldwide in responding to the growing crisis of spiritual poverty among young people.

Addressing the assembly, the Holy Father emphasized that the proclamation of the Gospel is not an utopian proposal but a living witness that attracts people through the call to love and truth. He stressed that evangelization must remain “the fundamental motivation of every action of the universal Church and of local communities.”

Reflecting on the spiritual aspirations of the younger generation, Pope Leo XIV observed that many young people are rediscovering their hunger for spirituality and searching for deeper meaning in life. He urged the Church to continue finding creative and effective ways to proclaim the Gospel.

“The new generation is not closed off to the Gospel,” the Pope said. “On the contrary, many, when they rediscover it, want to know it better, because they perceive that within it lies the secret to being truly happy.”

During his stay in Rome, Cardinal Ferrão was granted a personal audience with Pope Leo XIV on 29 May 2026. He also held meetings with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Cardinal Ferrao had an informal meeting with Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.

The Plenary Assembly provided an important opportunity for reflection on the Church’s missionary mandate and the challenges and opportunities facing evangelization in the contemporary world.

By Catholic Connect Reporter